Emergency Procedure
In the event that a dragon boat is swamped the following procedures must be followed:
1) Steersperson shall take charge of the crew until the lifeguards arrive.
2) The crew shall remain with the dragon boat and must not swim to shore or the break wall.
3) Each team member must locate their partner (buddy system).
4) Inform the lifeguard if your partner is missing.
5) Each team member must follow the lifeguard’s instructions.
Safety Procedures
It is the team captain’s responsibility to communicate safety and emergency procedures to the dragon boat crew before practices.
1) All steerspersons are responsible for the boat and crew they are steering.
2) All dragon boats must travel to the right of the practice course at all times.
3) All dragon boats must give way to all other vessels.
4) All steerspersons must remain in the practice boundary established by the lifeguards during practices.
5) Should a team require assistance at any time during practice that team should stop paddling and the drummer and/or steersperson should signal a lifeguard (visually or vocally).
6) Each team member is required to wear a personal flotation device during all practice
sessions.
7) Before the start of each practice session all paddlers are required to pair up with their partner in case of emergency (Buddy System).
8) Teams deemed unsafe during practice sessions will not be allowed to continue practicing.